Our trip this time was on a quest for ice!! Harbin, the ice city! :)
Many people have not heard of Harbin. When I told my friends that I am going to Harbin, I got lots of response like "err... where is that?", "never heard of it", ect.
Harbin is the capital and largest city of Helongjiang (which translates to: “Black Dragon River.” Pretty intense, right?) province in China. Having the most extreme cold winters among major Chinese cities, Harbin is also known as the Ice City for its famous ice sculpture festival in winter every year. Every year in January or February, Harbin Ice Festival is held in Sun Island in Harbin. Sculptors from all over China and around the world to make ice or snow sculptures and create a wonderful snow world in Harbin.
For me, Harbin is different from other Chinese city that I've been. Because of its proximity to Russia and its former life as a city under Russian rule, Harbin features some Eastern European architectural and cultural influence.We can see the Russian influence in the architecture of some of the buildings in this city.
I first came across Harbin ice sculpturing festival season on TV quite sometime ago. Mr Hubby had been talking about going to Harbin during the ice and snow festival for years... and alhamdulillah, we made it this year! :D
From up above, I can see the white land of Harbin... can feel the cold.. brrrr!!
We flew to Harbin with my sis, Na and her hubby Saadan using Air China.
The China airline is not bad... halal food and the entertainment system are quite nice!
The airport
We took cab from the airport to the city. Cost us CNY116 (using metered taxi).Our rented apartment is located at MyKal building which is located near the St Sophia Cathedral.
Nice cozy apartment with strategic location. I like!
Getting ready to go out after having dinner (nasi goreng Brahim - haha!)
4 layers of clothing haha! Macam nak pergi berjuang rasa!
Long John, Uniqlo's heatech shirt, the pink short winter jacket and the long winter jacket!
It wasn’t so bad when we stepped out into the windy night air to explore the city. The cold kind of creeped up on you slowly. It was -22C that night in Harbin. Mak serious tak tahan... huhu!
Somebody forgot to bring her gloves... giler tak pakai gloves at this weather! Must buy asap!
At SSaint Sophia Cathedral, the largest Eastern Orthodox Church in the Far East.
The sisters who cannot stand the extreme cold weather... kalau boleh nak bungkus satu badan :D
We later went to Zhongyang Pedestrian Street. A nice pleasant walk (but so cold... brrr!) on a pedestrian street with old buildings, malls, old and new shops and restaurants. There was some ice sculpture placed along this street. I think it is the most crowded and touristic street in Harbin since all the tourist groups choose it when they do their sightseeing in the center.
One of the beautiful colourful ice sculptures at the Zhongyang Pedestrian Street
Did not stay long outside as we really could not stand the cold weather. Had an early night as we have a long and colder day tomorrow... haha! :D
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